USB Routing IC With Multiple Upstream Ports for Shared Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary USB integrated circuits typically have only one USB upstream port, limiting the ability for multiple USB hosts to share resources efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A USB routing integrated circuit with multiple USB upstream ports and switching circuits that allow flexible transmission paths between these ports and downstream ports, enabling selective connections based on operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a USB integrated circuit has only one USB upstream port, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability for multiple USB hosts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the USB upstream interface into multiple separate ports (first USB upstream port and second USB upstream port), allowing each port to be independently connected to different USB hosts. This segmentation enables the integrated circuit to support multiple USB hosts simultaneously without requiring a single complex multi-functional port.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed with multiple USB upstream ports that can serve different USB hosts, making the device universal and adaptable to various configurations. The switching circuits enable the same downstream resources to be shared among multiple upstream hosts, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple USB upstream ports are added to share resources, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Switching circuits are introduced as intermediary components between the multiple USB upstream ports and the downstream ports. These switching circuits intelligently route data streams from different upstream hosts to appropriate downstream destinations, enabling resource sharing while abstracting the complexity of multi-port management from the host systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability that allows the integrated circuit to adaptively change connection paths based on operational requirements. The switching circuits can dynamically allocate downstream resources to different upstream hosts, enabling flexible resource sharing and optimizing system performance without requiring static, overly complex hardware design.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a USB routing integrated circuit (IC) with multiple USB upstream ports and operation method thereof. The USB routing IC includes a first USB upstream port, a second USB upstream port, a USB downstream port, a video output port, a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, a first switching circuit and a second switching circuit. The first multiplexer is coupled to the first USB upstream port. The second multiplexer is coupled to the second USB upstream port. The first switching circuit is coupled between the first multiplexer and the USB downstream port. The first switching circuit is coupled between the second multiplexer and the USB downstream port. The second switching circuit is coupled between the first multiplexer and the video output port. The second switching circuit is coupled between the second multiplexer and the video output port.